rebuilding together has had about 18,000 volunteers since hurricane katrina. the gentleman who runs the organization, we were driving through the city and he pointed out the houses and said that every one of these houses has been touched by volunteers. >> host: after new orleans, what was your next trip? >> guest: my wife and i taught english at an elementary school in cosa -- costa rica. it was a rather intense learning curve. it was first-graders through sixth graders. they had a different range of needs. it was a little tricky. >> host: in your two weeks during your time and costa rica teaching english, what did you accomplish? >> guest: i think it is an intangible thing. the kids did pick up some english when we were there. another volunteer was a teacher and she taught us some tricks. from a practical standpoint, their basic english grew when we were there. but the principle also told me that he has very limited resources. he can have volunteers teach english and then have the limited resources be invested in computers or something else. it's a win-win. >